The Weekly Wire - Week 8 2025 Recap

Matchup: Warhawks (92) at Guardians (6)

The Warhawks (3-4) delivered a punishing and historic performance Saturday morning with a 92-6 demolition of the winless Guardians (0-7). In one of the most lopsided games in ICFL history, the Warhawks piled on points in every phase of the game, capitalizing on explosive plays, defensive scores, and total domination from whistle to whistle.

Despite the Guardians again failing to submit official stats, the game sheet clearly told the story: this was never close

Offensive Explosion: Warhawks Fire on All Cylinders

Quarterback Matt Knoles was nearly perfect, completing 7 of 12 passes for 163 yards and 4 touchdowns. He spread the ball efficiently while letting his backfield do the heavy lifting

Michael Sondermann once again proved why he's one of the league’s elite backs, rushing for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns on 10 carries.

Jordan Parham added another 76 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 carries, forming a lethal duo that the Guardians simply had no answer for.

Jameke Barber, Bach Eca Jk III, Zion Perrault, and Haiden Allington-Ozuna all added receiving touchdowns as the Warhawks racked up points with ease

Defense and Special Teams Join the Party

The Warhawks’ defense didn’t just dominate—they scored.

Carson Fisk had a pick-six, a sack, and a forced fumble, making his case for Defensive Player of the Week

Cayden Hill, Josh Stewart, Austin Baird, and Regan Sondermann locked down the field, with Baird leading the team with 15 tackles.

Gavin Breen added a fumble recovery and an interception.

Zion Perrault also contributed with 2 pass deflections and 47 return yards.

In total, the defense forced multiple turnovers and racked up 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and at least one touchdown

Guardians: More of the Same Struggles

The Guardians continue their downward spiral, dropping to 0-7 on the season while allowing over 90 points in a single game. Once again, they failed to register any meaningful offensive production and gave up explosive play after explosive play.

Despite the presence of standout names like Tristin Kreiter and Devan Morrison, the Guardians remain unable to generate offense, protect the quarterback, or hold the line on defense. They’ve now allowed a staggering 423 points through 7 games while only scoring 12 total points.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The Warhawks reminded everyone that when their offense clicks and the defense is swarming, they can look like a playoff-caliber team. For the Guardians, the focus now shifts to finishing the season with pride, discipline, and hopefully, progress.

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Matchup: Sabers (6) at Black Tide (38)

The Black Tide (5-2) continued their march toward the playoffs with a dominant 38-6 win over the Sabers (4-3), handing Nampa’s squad their second straight loss and placing their postseason hopes on the brink. For the Sabers, who once stood among the league’s top-tier contenders, this loss was more than a setback—it was a wake-up call. Without a miracle next week, the Sabers will likely be eliminated from playoff contention.

Black Tide: Defense, Discipline, and Total Control

The Black Tide came into this matchup prepared and focused, and their execution was nearly flawless.

QB Isaac Sanchez commanded the offense with precision, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards, spreading the ball among six different receivers

RB Orlando Clay continued his standout season with 112 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, slicing through the Sabers defense with power and vision.

While the offense wasn’t flashy in the red zone, it was consistent and methodical, punishing the Sabers on long drives and short fields alike.

On defense, the Black Tide completely shut down the Sabers offense:

CB TJ Cothran led the way with 3 pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown, making a case for defensive MVP of the game.

Antonio Sandoval, Cody Rowley, Lucas Gottschall, and Jeff Santos also notched interceptions, totaling 5 picks on the day

Ryan Carlen, Mitch Gammon, and Soni Tuinei all recorded sacks as the Tide pass rush overwhelmed Sabers QB Emmitt Johnson from start to finish.

Sabers: Slipping Out of Contention

What once looked like a playoff-lock season for the Sabers has unraveled in just two weeks. After a heartbreaking OT loss to the Aztecs in Week 7, they were physically overmatched and outplayed by a surging Black Tide squad.

QB Emmitt Johnson completed just 12 of 32 passes for 192 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interceptions, facing relentless pressure and tight coverage all afternoon

WR Nick Cade was the lone bright spot on offense, recording 81 yards and the Sabers’ only touchdown.

The ground game was non-existent, with the Sabers finishing with just 4 rushing yards total across five ball carriers.

On defense, Jace Mann led the team with 15 tackles, while Joe Anguiano added 8 stops and 2 pass deflections. Still, it wasn’t enough to slow down the Black Tide’s attack or flip momentum.

Final Thoughts

The Black Tide now sit at 5-2 and continue to look like a serious playoff contender—physical, consistent, and opportunistic on both sides of the ball. The Sabers, meanwhile, are facing the harsh reality of a missed playoff berth unless a chaotic miracle unfolds in the standings next week. After a promising start to the season, the Sabers have been exposed by more physical, more complete teams. It’s a harsh lesson in late-season ICFL football—and the margin for error has now completely evaporated.

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Matchup: Alphas (38) at Matadors (40)

In a game that lived up to its billing—and then some—the Matadors (5-2) delivered a last-second dagger, stunning the previously undefeated Alphas (6-1) with a 40-38 victory on Saturday afternoon in Nampa. With zeroes on the clock, the Matadors crossed the goal line and converted the game-winning score, handing the Alphas their first loss of the season in a finish that will be remembered for years.

Matadors: Efficient, Physical, Clutch

Though the Matadors did not submit official stat sheets, their offense clearly did more than enough to hang with one of the league’s most cohesive and high-scoring teams. Despite not having any recorded numbers, it’s safe to say that the Matadors leaned on their usual suspects—Matthew Garner, Grant Roberts, and Kapena Ho—to keep pace with a relentless Alphas offense.

The Matadors’ final drive was the defining moment: trailing 38-34 with seconds remaining, they pieced together one last push and found the end zone as time expired. The crowd erupted, and with it, the league’s last undefeated record was erased.

Alphas: Offensive Firepower Not Enough

The Alphas came in undefeated and played like it for most of the game, but miscues and the inability to make a final defensive stand proved costly.

QB Connor Perkins was a dual-threat machine, finishing with 255 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 104 rushing yards with another score. He carried the offense on his shoulders from start to finish

Tanner Eldredge added 128 receiving yards and a touchdown on 6 catches, while Christopher Franco, Logan Bowers, and Wyatt Anderson all chipped in with key scores

Wyatt Anderson also returned a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, giving the Alphas a special teams spark that nearly turned the tide.

Defensively, the Alphas got pressure from Bryson Hammer (2 sacks) and Andrew Woolsey (1.5 sacks), but they ultimately couldn’t stop the Matadors from driving the field in the final minute

Final Thoughts

This game was everything fans hoped for—a heavyweight clash between two elite teams, played with urgency, toughness, and high execution. The Alphas proved they’re still one of the most dangerous teams in the ICFL, but this loss will sting. Meanwhile, the Matadors are heating up at the right time, proving they can win tight, emotional, playoff-style games. This wasn't just a win—it was a statement. The Matadors are back, and they're coming for more.

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Matchup: Griffins (13) at Diggers (20)

Saturday night in Twin Falls brought us one of the most competitive and emotionally charged games of the week, as the Mini-Cassia Diggers (2-5) held on to beat the Griffins (1-7) by a final score of 20-13. While the records may suggest two struggling teams, the product on the field told a different story—a back-and-forth clash full of grit, heart, and much-needed momentum for both squads.

Diggers Find a Spark

After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Diggers found just enough offensive rhythm and leaned on key playmakers to get the job done.

QB AJ Hunter was efficient, completing 11 of 17 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, bouncing back from recent struggles

RB Robert Bailey had a powerful showing on the ground, rushing for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries, proving to be the difference-maker in short-yardage situations.

WR Eric Estrada led all receivers with 93 yards and a touchdown on 4 catches, while Heyden Thacker added another 44 receiving yards

On defense, the Diggers swarmed to the ball and made clutch plays when it mattered:

Aaron Johnson recorded 7 tackles and 2 sacks, continuing his run as one of the league’s top interior defenders.

Brogan Thoren added 6 tackles and a sack, while Koby Spencer grabbed an interception and notched 7 tackles of his own

Griffins Fight to the Finish

Despite coming into the game battered and with a depleted roster, the Griffins gave the Diggers everything they could handle.

Austin Williams, continuing his run as the team’s emergency QB, went 13 for 23 for 93 yards and a touchdown, and also added 11 rushing yards on 3 carries

Austin Whiting chipped in with 2 completions for 40 yards and a touchdown in a limited role.

WR Jonah Hirn hauled in 5 catches for 52 yards, and Griffith Gyllenskog added a 9-yard reception

On defense, the Griffins were led by Nick Ellis (7 tackles), Austin Williams (8 tackles), and Sergio Blanco (6 tackles, 1 sack)—playing with heart and aggression all night. Devin Adams and Austin Villalobos each tallied a pass deflection, and Villalobos also returned a kick for 47 yards, nearly breaking one late

Final Thoughts

Both teams needed this kind of game. The Diggers finally found the end zone and closed out a tight one after multiple tough losses. The Griffins, despite the defeat, continue to earn respect for their weekly effort, improved execution, and undeniable fight.

It wasn’t perfect football—but it was passionate, competitive, and exactly the kind of game that reminds us why every win matters.